Nothing previously published has offered such a close examination of Japanese strategy . . . an in-depth study of the Japanese planning, preparation and execution of the attack with particular focus on factors not thoroughly considered by other historians, if at all . . . detailed analyses that lead to a much better understanding of what the Japanese did, why they did it, and especially how the attack was very nearly an abject failure instead of a stunning success." Naval Institute Proceedings "For seven decades, conventional wisdom has extolled the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor as brilliant in its planning and execution . . . this masterful analysis topples that pillar of Pacific War history . . . with its amazing depth of meticulous research and analysis, this forceful book is essential reading for anyone with a serious interest in Pearl Harbor." World War II "The first militarily professional description of the Pearl Harbor attack, and for those who are serious about military history and operations, it is a joy to read. . . . a superb military analysis of the attack . . . not only renders all other histories of Pearl Harbor obsolete, it has set the bar high for other histories of the Pacific War." War In History REVIEWS proves an engrossing study, particularly for those considering themselves well-read on the topic . it is even more interesting for those with ample knowledge of events in World War II's Pacific Theater of Operations leading up to, on, and following December 7, 1941. For a variety of reasons, including the provocative nature of many of Zimm's fact-built arguments, this reviewer does not hesitate to recommend Globe at War, 7/10/2011 very thorough as an analysis of the raid from the Japanese point of reference it is very intriguing and goes far to display the old axiom every plan changes (or falls apart) once the enemy is encountered . IPMS, July 31, 2011 Zimm's conclusions will remain definitive for the foreseeable future So, by all means, reread Gordon Prange's At Dawn We Slept, but definitely read Alan Zimm's Attack on Pearl Harbor for a fuller and more up-to-date understanding of an event that changed history and continues to fascinate. Michigan War Studies Review, 09/2011 It is not often that one can say that an outstanding book transforms our knowledge of a well known event but this can be said of Alan Zimm s Attack on Pearl Harbor .groundbreaking sets straight the record of a key historical event essential reading Dr. Eric Grove, Navy News uses modern methods of operational analysis to determine exactly how the Japanese planned and executed the great raid a worthy, useful analysis Naval History Magazine Dr. Zimm provides a solid analysis, and at the same time knows how to maintain a healthy critical distance vis-a-vis the literature (historical records, autobiographical accounts, official reports) which he puts to good use. Politique Etrangere (France) An interesting analysis of the strategy and tactics involved. Instead of the most daring and brilliant naval operations of all time, Zimm demonstrates that the Japanese carrier strike force did not plan the attack very well, nor did they train effectively for it an interesting new look at this opening gambit in the Pacific Theater of World War II. The Past in Review For seven decades, conventional wisdom has extolled the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor as brilliant in its planning and execution masterful analysis topples that pillar of Pacific War history... with its amazing depth of meticulous research and analysis, this forceful book is essential reading for anyone with a serious interest in Pearl Harbor. World War II Magazine nothing previously published has offered such a close examination of Japanese strategy an in depth study of the Japanese planning, preparation and execution of the attack with particular focus on factors not thoroughly considered by other historians, if at all full of revelations that counter common perceptions detailed analyses that lead to a much better understanding of what the Japanese did, why they did it and especially how the attack was very nearly an abject failure instead of a stunning success. Proceedings, 07/2011 Anyone with a serious interest in understanding the Pearl Harbor attack in its many aspects, both for what actually happened and for what might have happened under alternative circumstances, should read this new book for the invaluable analytical rigor and intellectual exploration that it brings to the subject. Warship International, Vol 49, No 1 the first militarily professional description of the Pearl Harbor attack, and for those who are serious about military history and operations, it is a joy to read a superb military analysis of the attack not only rendered all other histories of Pearl Harbor obsolete, it has set the bar high got other histories of the Pacific War. War In History Alan D. Zimm applies his considerable professional experience in operations research and combat simulations design to a novel assessment of the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor. It is an ambitious undertaking to fins something new to say about one of the most analyzed military engagements in history, but Zimm has managed to do so must reading for any serious student of the Pacific War. International Journal of Maritime History takes a very interesting approach an arguably better and clearer analysis of what the Japanese did, could have done, and should have done. An amazing amount of detailed research on the part of a very fastidious individual has gone into this very valuable work. Work Boat World takes a very interesting approach analyses the known facts and data using modern research techniques. The result is an arguably better and clearer analysis of what the Japanese did, could have done, and should have done. An amazing amount of detailed research on the part of a very fastidious individual has gone into this very valuable work. Ausmarine What Alan Zimm has done is to use Japanese information and not the uncorroborated thoughts of Mitsuo Fuchida, who is now well known for being careless with the truth . With this information, Zimm has carried out a bottom up analysis of the attack in the first eight chapters covering the strategic and operational setting, the targets (and it is clear that these were the Pacific Fleet s battleships and not the aircraft carriers), the weapons and weapon- target pairings, the war games, planning, training, rehearsals, briefings etc followed by the execution of the attack. He goes on to assess the attack, the attle damage and the folklore ..clearly this is not a primer for someone wishing to learn about the Pearl Harbor Attack . Rather, it is a thorough analysis of many aspects of the attack, completely overturning conventional wisdom. The Northern Mariner